Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Overall record: 43-16
Sun Belt Conference record: 21-8 (tied for first, won tournament)
RPI: 38
Bryce Brentz, Bryce Brentz, Bryce Brentz. Brentz, a sophmore pitcher/outfielder, led the nation with a .484 batting average (30 points ahead of second place), tied for the D-I lead with 28 HR, has a .552 OBP, and struck out only 30 times in over 200 at-bats. While less dominant from the mound, Brentz started 13 games and went 5-3 with a 4.78 ERA. He is a first team all-American and basically is the Babe Ruth of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Other Raiders to watch:
Rawley Bishop, senior 3B: Bishop hit .404, good enough for #50 in the NCAA, and hit 14 HR.
Nathan Hines, senior OF: Hines hit .363 with 11 HR.
Kenneth Roberts, junior SP. Roberts was 10-1 with a 2.98 ERA.
Chad Edwards, junior SP: Edwards's statistics show just how dominant Middle Tennessee's offense is: he was 8-1 with a 5.99 ERA.
Coty Woods, junior RP: Woods saved 14 games and let MT with a 1.51 ERA. He struck out 50 in 41 and 2/3 innings.
IU enters the tournament playing very well, but faces a formidable field. You can watch tomorrow night's game here.